Running excitedly to open the car door for his soon to be bride, doing everything possible to impress her and to make her feel loved and appreciated.  In response to her soon to be bridegroom, he can do no wrong and she could hardly concentrate on her work because of day dreaming about her knight in shining armor so to speak.  Both could hardly wait for the time to spend alone with each other.  The Big Day finally arrived and the two of you got married to each other but soon discovered something had sadly gone wrong.  The husband was not opening the car door anymore and alas!  Not going out of his way to make his wife feel loved and appreciated as before but then again sadly, many wives are not even thinking about their husbands and could care less how they “fetch” so to speak.  Both are not spending enough time with each other; could it be that the beast of selfishness has been allowed to come into your marriage?

Let’s take a closer look the Word is speaking from the book of Genesis 2:18 “And the LORD God said, it is not good that the man should be alone, I will make him an help meet for him.” The Word continued on in (24)”Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.”

Husbands, are you “Bossing” you wife around?  Do you treat her like a slave instead of a wife?

Wives are you usurping authority over your husband – Do you undermine his decisions concerning your household?  While both of you are thinking on those questions pause right now just to inhale, now exhale – there!  Let’s read together the Word from the book of Ephesians 5:23 “The husband is the head  of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, His body, of which He is the Saviour.”   The Word not only clarifies this but also gives the reason why in (31)”For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh.”   This is a mystery yet it is vital to the growth and harmony of the marriage to love each other especially during your most difficult and challenging moments and you will keep the beast of selfishness barred out if you (me too) practice daily loving each other.

The question is though, husbands and wives, do you love yourself?  Before you answer let’s read verse (33)”Nevertheless let everyone of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband.” Listen, Love and respect works like a Formula and without these ingredients in your marriage, the beast of selfishness would come in and destroy the peace and harmony in your marriage!

Purpose in your heart on this Valentine Day to, “Have and to Hold each other!”  Show appreciation and display mutual respect to each other.  Be courteous and sensitive to each other’s needs.  Pray and study the word together.  Keep the dialogue of communication open.  Purpose to do those little special acts for each other to make the day brighter and the beast of selfishness will find no place in your relationship.

Enjoy and bless the Gift Yahweh has given – Enjoy and celebrate each other!  Bear in mind though, the beast of selfishness is always waiting for an opportunity to get in to destroy your marriage. I hear it resounding; be vigilant and alert compassionate and kind each day and the beast of selfishness would not stand a chance to get in your marriage relationship!